Day 9

DAY 9

29^th June

FIONA”S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Up nice and early after a windy night in the swags... though the roof top tents were more in the firing line than us! We were greeted by a magnificent sunrise across the plain. We were ready to leave by 8am, must have been a record!

Today we completed the remaining part of the Googs Track. A beautiful, fun, sandy, windy drive in beautiful shrubby countryside. Then we followed a gravel road along the railway track. After passing an abandoned mine we came in to the town of Tarcoola. We stopped outside the local hotel but it was closed for renovations. The hospital was also locked up, as was the school and every other building in the small town. It was like a ghost town (Mike thought he heard the footstep of a ghost). “Casper” should have felt right at home. Quite eerie.

We headed on along the gravel road, eventually stopping at Kingoonya for lunch. Once again the hotel was closed and not much sign of life around, so we went back to the local rest stop for lunch.

Further along the road we came to the Stuart Highway. A quick photo opportunity for Stuart and then it was another 260 odd kms to Coober Pedy. Straight, long open plain driving. As we neared Coober Pedy the mines started to dominate the landscape. It was exciting coming into town and finding our Underground Motel for the night. Nice clean showers and rooms. What luxury. Then after getting a little laundry and shopping done it was out on the town to celebrate Fiona’s Birthday and have dinner cooked for us!! Pizza it was, John’s Pizza found enough seats for us. Wow!! Huge pizzas!! Full Bellies!!! Even kangaroo and emu pizza...poor skippy L Lots of fun. Happy Birthday Fi!!!

Day 8

DAY 8

28^th June

Morning pack up then off to Mt Finke. Only 80 odd kms to travel but a lot of dunes in between. Stu told me to drive... fun, fun, fun!! We stopped and had a look at the memorial for Martin (Dinger) Denton (Son) and Goog Denton (Dad). They built the Googs track and the road out to Mt Finke.

Lots of fun on today’s drive. Some large dunes with soft sand and bumps at the top. But nothing could get in the way of any cars in our convoy... even casper (the Delica) and Pete towing a T-Van found the going easy enough. Another group of cars struggled ahead of us on some of the dunes, they were also headed to Mt Finke. One of the guys gave us 16 bags of jelly beans... one for each person in our group. How nice.

Didn’t see any animals other than birds, lots of flying ants nests and camel tracks.

We got to Mt Finke before the other group. They decided not to camp near us when Col informed them we had an 11 month old that wakes about 4am each morning... LOL!! Parkes, Williams, Madison and I walked up Mt Finke, got the lungs pumping. Tough going with the steepness and the rocky track covered in Spinifex plants. Well worth the effort for the spectacular views. At least 5 wedge tailed eagles circled us at the peak. We headed back down for happy hour (poor Jessica decided to fall into a Spinifex bush) and another nice evening around a campfire. Several sightings of satellites were made and Stu saw a shooting star. Then it was off to bed ready for an early start and a BIG day of driving tomorrow.

Day 7

DAY 7

27^th June

Just woke up as we pleased. Nowhere to drive today....yeah!! Mike was in chocolate heaven, 3 slices of Nutella toast cooked on the campfire and hot Milo for breakfast. Jamie decided to have three slices as well, just because her brother did.

The day consisted of collecting wood for the fire, walks on, around and across Googs Lake. Discovering diamonds in the salt crystal rock formations was a favourite activity. Walking, photography, reading and just hanging around. Just what the doctor ordered for most of us. Mike and his toy 4WD car played all day together creating all sorts of tracks and jumps. Jamie and Haley loved their day of make believe playing and Chelsea enjoyed some freedom and crawl time. Cheryl and I tried our best to get her to take her first steps on the lake.

The guys all did checks on the cars and made some adjustments.

Cheryl was king of the kids organising a M&M damper cooking activity. A real winner!! Especially with the eating part J

I made ham and cheese, Chez made fetta and semi dried tomato and Anthea had fetta, mushroom and ham. Yum. Very full stomachs though. Fiona’s blue M&M damper looked like a cake.

The night was topped off around the campfire. The older kids had prepared an African song and dance for us (Jordan, Jack, Jessica and Madison) which was great. They are all so talented.(Better not forget special effects by Col). Jordan also sang us a song, what a perfect end to a lovely day!

Day 6

DAY 6

26^th June 2012

Woke up early for a ‘quick’ pack up!!! Wet swags, red dirt and freezing fingers don’t make for a happy start to the day. My turn for a melt down LOL!!! Watched a beautiful sunrise in between packing up. No time for photos for me L That’s okay, “suck it up princess is the saying”!!

On the road about 8.30. Headed into Ceduna for a top up of supplies including spare petrol. We managed to do some laundry and have a cafe lunch while Pete got a new car battery and a few auto electric repairs done to his car. We all picked up some prawns for a seafood risotto dinner!

After our stop in Ceduna it was on the road to Googs Lake for new camp site. At the start of the Googs Track we let down our tyres for the sand driving and had the launching of ‘the flags’ ceremony. Cheryl tried to get a photo without the People Mover ‘Casper” or the silver Pajero without the real bumper bar Lol!!! Then we were off!! Jutter, jutter, jutter............. nothing like corrugation driving! Our blinker kept coming on, quite funny. It is fun to be driving off road and discovering new parts of our beautiful country!!

We stopped to check out some Rock Holes that the Aboriginal people use for water supply when travelling to the sea.

Finally, we were at Goog Lake and setting up our camp. Two nights here, and no driving tomorrow made me feel very happy!!! We all made risotto for tea. Maiden risotto for Lisa. Worked out pretty yummy too. Thanks Fiona for the recipe!! Poor Anthea, SOMEONE?? Forgot to get the prawns for the Freeman dinner. L Their holiday HAS to get BETTER soon!!! Campfire warmth then off to bed.

Day 5 the bit I missed :-)

DAY 5 CONTINUED:

We spent a couple of hours driving this afternoon towards our new camping spot. The roads were all dirt but the grader had only just been through so it was nearly highway driving. Wombat holes a plenty along the edge of the road. We arrived at a beautiful little salt lake called Loche Clay Pan. Pulled off the side of the road at set up our camp near the lake. The kids had a ball playing in the hard sand where the lake had dried up. We had a nice evening walking around, and then sitting by the camp fire. Packed up quickly when the rain came and all decided to call it a night!

Simpson Holiday Day 5

DAY 5

25^th June:

Our second day at Mt Ive Station. A pretty chilly morning. Poor Stu and Bruce up at 4am chasing off swiping foxes from around the camping area. Jamie was crying with cold and sore fingers again (I knew how she felt) and Mike was too cold to eat cereal!!! Another meltdown morning J

On the road again about 9am. We had a little more exploring to do around the station before heading on to our next location. Pete filled up his water supplies in the T-Van. They are very nice people at Mt Ive Station.

We set off towards Lake Gairdner. Stopping along the way for a walk up the river bed to view the organ pipes at Kath’s Castle and to walk along the 1892 built dam wall. Finally we got glimpses of the beautiful Lake Gairdner, smaller in size to Lake Ayer but beautiful pristine views and reflections. It had water in it just above ankle deep but the white salt pans that formed the bed were spectacular. Nestled amongst the red rock ranges the lake forms the northern boundary of the station.

We enjoyed playing in and around the lake, taking in the views and lots of photographs. We had our lunch there, before packing up, returning maps and gate keys to the homestead.

Simpson Desert Holiday Day 4

DAY 4

24^th June:

A nice sleep in today, didn’t have to get up till about 8am. The kids enjoyed waking up and exploring the sheep station around our campsite. The station was established in 1867. It is approximately 900sqkm and is situated amongst the vast volcanic landscape of the ancient Gawler Ranges.

After breakfast we were on our way, exploring the countryside around Mt Ive Station. We took to the 4WD track named ‘Flight Path’. This was a 30km round trip. We crossed dry creek beds and took in views of some beautiful outback scenery such as Peterlumbo Hill, Mt Ive and contrasts of red and green. More kangaroos, emus and goats dotted the countryside. The volcanic rock outcrops (Rhyolite Columns) forming spectacular pipe organ type landforms, such as “Peters Pillars”.

We all enjoyed some 4WDriving, though not too tough, and being able to get out of the car and explore some of the countryside. Jordan enjoyed some driving practice, although the tree branch got a little bit of a beating, LOL!!

Back at camp the kids went for a walk around the station, visiting some of the farm animals. We built a lovely campfire and enjoyed a relaxing evening in the warmth. And tonight Bruce had no troubles getting some port buddies. Ahhhh.

Simpson Deset Holiday... Day 3

DAY 3

23^rd June

Wow!! Saturday morning we had to get up at 6am again. The temperature was -2 degrees!! It was a freezing night, definitely not warm and cosy in the swags. The kids swag, the fox wing, Parkes’ tent and cars were covered in ice. The condensation in the kids swag had also frozen to the roof! Packing up was a chore. Jamie had a melt down because her fingers and feet were so cold!! Poor little thing!

We finally got away, 30mins later than planned. Better late than never. It was another long day of driving. Morning tea saw us stop at Peterborough (built in the 1800’s). The kids liked the old steam trains and railway. Stu, Williams and Freemans all enjoyed ducking into the cafe for a ‘real coffee’ while the Parkes headed off again with Jordan behind the wheel!! Go Jordy!!

We drove through a lot of open, shrubby country. Emus by the dozens scattered the country side. We were treated to some spectacular views of the Flinders Ranges. Eventually we made it to Port Augusta for lunch and some restocking of petrol, fruit and vegies. Col was getting toey though, so soon enough we were back on the road, travelling through the vast open country side. After passing Iron Knob we turned off the bitumen and on to the gravel roads for about 120km to Mt Ive. We dodged emus (just), foxes and sheep finally arriving at the property as the sun was going down. After setting up super fast we all feasted on meat and three veg. Some of us were lucky enough to score a shower before the hot water ran out. A little bit of luxury. Although the way Jamie was crying you’d have thought she was in an ice bath. The ‘big kids’ spent a few hours in the common room playing table tennis, draughts and chess etc... Bruce couldn’t find a port drinking buddy so ended up hitting the sack. I managed to download some photos and update my diary.

We are all looking forward to some sightseeing and exploring around the Mt Ive Station area tomorrow.

22nd June, Day 2

22^nd June

We were up and moving just after 6am. A little rain fell overnight. Breakfast, pack-up and a quick photo session on the railway track before hitting the road at 8am for another LONG day of driving.

A very straight road west...... and further west. We stopped at Wilcania for lunch by the river. It had been quite high not that long ago and the kids liked the cracking mud. Back on the road we kept heading west towards Broken Hill. Kangaroos, goats, emus, sheep, cows and lots of birds among the fauna we spotted. The kids are travelling so well. They are so good. I spy and walkie talkies helping to keep them amused.

Quick fuel stop in Broken Hill, then on across the S.A. border for our camp site at Olary Creek. The creek was bone dry. We saw a nice sunset, beautiful stars and then rugged up around a fire. A very cold night ahead!!

Day 1

DAY 1

21^st June

And we are on the road!! At 6am the Pajero, Defender and Delica (‘Casper’ the people mover 4WD not good enough for a photo in the 4WD Magazine) left Nebraska Close headed for our big outback adventure. Michael andf Jamie were very excited. Mike had waited his whole life (7 years) for this trip. One hour into the trip we stopped at Broke for a toilet and coffee stop. It was just in time for Mike to throw up .... hope the car sickness doesn’t last the whole trip!!!

Back on the road a sleep did wonders for the kids and the rest of the day was ‘sick free’.

Morning tea was a  ‘Dunedoo’ stop near some Silos and a park for the kids. Then it was on to Trangie for lunch. We took some photos of the river, which was very full. It was here that Michael introduced himself to the local policeman who was having a toilet stop. He told him he had been learning about community workers at school, and that he wanted to be a policeman when he grew up. Well, then Mike got to sit in the police car and was taken for a drive around town. The policeman took his name and address and promised to send him a badge. Not sure who was more excited..... Michael or the policeman!!

We finally pulled up and set up our first camp at a rest stop called ‘Florida’ at Boppy Hill, just before Cobar. It was right alongside the railway line. Not long after we had set up the Tamworth crew joined us with their T-Van!!! The kids enjoyed a game of spotlight. Our swags were great. A nice, cosy and warm night  1.

Stuart had a practice run setting up camp in our front yard today.... then packed it all back up again Lol!!

See our location via spot!

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0CFbLLS6OWoHlI8ltBUqT4AXq3MiWqPsp


Follow the link to find our most recent location via our spot.
Clever little device!!

Only 3 sleeps to go now :-)

Time is ticking

School concerts this week, reports due, programs and scope and sequences due .......... food for trip all over the loungeroom waiting to be packed. Stu will be mastering the packing plans for Pajero this weekend, I have to play in a softball tournament in Sydney. Kids will be fending for themselves. Lol!! We can't wait to be on the road, together, escaping the rat race, enjoying our break and experiencing some of the things our wonderful country has to offer. 21st of June can't get here soon enough..... oh but not too soon, a little more time to get sorted and packe :-)

Tread Lightly

We have completed 4wdriving Courses, photography courses, kitted out our Pajero Machine... well, nearly. Down to final preparations and packing. Our trip starts on the 21st June. Simpson Desert and the Australian outback we'll see you soon.  :-)